The wonder of heaven & earth collidingLuke 2:6-76 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.I love how Luke, the doctor, makes this moment sound so perfect and serene.  It is nothing like what I experienced in the birthin...  Read More

The wonder of heaven & earth collidingLuke 2:1-51 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSThink back to Christmas’ of old, and a gift that you wanted so bad you could taste it.  What was that gift and do you rememb...  Read More

The wonder of possible impossibilities Luke 1:8080 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.Ahh, and we are left at the end of Luke 1 with our equivalent of “To Be Continued…” Luke sure knows how to tell a story in a way that leaves us wanting more. What did he do in the wilderness?  Where were his parents and did they li...  Read More

The wonder of possible impossibilities Luke 1:67-7967 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. 69 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, 70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. 71 Now we will be saved from our enemies...  Read More

The wonder of possible impossibilities Luke 1:65-6665 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.Awe, wonder, fear, even dread, fell among those who knew what had tak...  Read More